Khaberni - The director of the Palestinian Prisoner Club, Amjad Al-Najjar, revealed that the number of Palestinian detainees in Israeli occupation prisons has reached 9,000 prisoners, including 3,700 administrative detainees, 450 children, and 53 women.
Al-Najjar pointed out that the conditions inside the prisons are still extremely difficult, with ongoing mistreatment and torture against the prisoners, and no guarantees provided for their human rights.
Al-Najjar explained that the arrest campaigns are ongoing, noting that on the day of the last exchange deal, more than 70 Palestinians were arrested in the West Bank, pointing out that the total number of detainees since October 7, 2023, has exceeded 20,000, including 600 women and 2,000 children, in addition to prisoners from the Gaza Strip.
The exchange deal does not include female prisoners and children
Regarding the latest prisoner exchange deal, Al-Najjar confirmed that the deal did not include any Palestinian female prisoners, in addition to a large number of children.
He mentioned that the Israeli occupation released only two women from the Gaza Strip, while the larger number of female prisoners remained in prisons, numbering 53 prisoners. The deal also did not cover detainees from Arab countries, although some of them have spent more than 30 years in captivity.
Al-Najjar asserted that the deal was not sufficient, explaining that the number released was less than expected, and does not meet the demands of the Palestinian people for the release of all prisoners, especially those sentenced to life imprisonment, who have spent more than 20 years in prisons.
The difficult situation inside the prisons: Continuous mistreatment and torture
Al-Najjar pointed out that the released prisoners suffer from difficult health and psychological conditions due to continuous torture and mistreatment in prisons, explaining that many of them suffered from fractures in limbs and teeth, and were forced to remain in harsh health conditions throughout their detention period, in addition to continuous solitary confinement, which caused significant psychological and physical suffering.
He affirmed that prisoners are subjected to beatings and torture daily, and the mistreatment does not stop by the occupying forces, which use repressive methods with the prisoners, where they are forced to bow down and endure humiliation, in addition to being deprived of visits or communication with their families, as the prisoners have been unable to visit their families for two years.
Al-Najjar highlighted that medical neglect in prisons remains a major issue, as prisoners suffer from severe injuries and pain due to continuous torture, and do not receive necessary medical care.
He explained that the number of martyrs inside the prisons reached 79 martyrs, indicating that this is a serious indicator of poor treatment and medical neglect.
He added that the conditions in Palestinian prisons have become more difficult than ever, as the emergency detention law is still in effect. This law, called the "Lock Law," imposes a severe blockade on the lives of prisoners inside prisons, depriving them of their most basic human rights, such as a normal living life and the right to obtain appropriate medical treatment.
Al-Najjar noted that there is a new law in Israel currently being discussed in the Knesset, related to the implementation of the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, which has been read in the Knesset three times and threatens to increase repression against prisoners. This law opens the possibility for the widespread application of death sentences against Palestinian detainees, especially those accused of participating in military operations against the occupation, and poses a significant threat to many prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, increasing their suffering and depriving them of any chance for reconsideration of their trials.
Al-Najjar confirmed that administrative detention is an arbitrary measure used by the occupation authorities against thousands of Palestinians, where they are held without trial or charge, and that approximately 3,700 administrative detainees are still in prisons under this illegal detention.
Regarding international efforts to achieve a ceasefire, Al-Najjar explained that international mediations, such as Qatari, Egyptian, and American mediation, play a role in speeding up the calming, but they do not guarantee the continuation of implementing the agreements, as the occupation constantly disregards any agreements, which is evidenced by the ongoing bombing of various areas of Gaza.
Al-Najjar emphasized that the issue of prisoners must remain a top priority, and the need to follow up international mediations and pressure the international community to ensure the demands of the prisoners are met, including the release of all detainees without conditions, ending administrative detentions, and guaranteeing human rights for prisoners inside the prisons.
